Note: This webquest was created by Julie Haines (Haines, Julie. "JCS WebQuest." We Didn't Start the Fire. Jackson City Schools , 23 Apr. 2002. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://jcs.k12.oh.us/teachers/jhaines/fire). I have added additional steps in the process. Click here to see the orignal webquest We Didn't Start the Fire.
Introduction:
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning,
Since the world's been turning.
We didn't start the fire
Well, we didn't light it,
But we tried to fight it.
- Billy Joel
The above stanza is from the song "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. What in the world is he talking about? That will be your task to discover in this webquest. In this hit song from 1989, Joel names key historical events from 1949-1989. By examining the events in the song, you and your classmates will be be searching for the answer to the question at the top of this page: "Who started the fire?" You will also be answering what he means by "fire."
The Task:
Your groups's task in this assignment is to research a section ofthe song and then present to the class in news show format an analysis of that section. Your individual task in this assignment is to answer a series of questions following the class presentations.
The Processs: 1. First you'll be assigned to a team of 4-5 students. Your team will be given certain years from the song to research. 2. Within your team, you will assume one of the following roles:
The Process
First you'll be assigned to a team of 4-5 students. Your team will be given certain years from the song to research.
Within your team, you will assume one of the following roles:
Culture Reporter
Your job is to research and analyze those items within your years that apply to culture. This would include sports, entertainment, literature or any other topic that is not politically-oriented.
Political Reporter
Your job is to research and analyze those items within your years that apply to politics and government. This would include leaders of countries, wars, political events or any other topic that is politically-oriented.
Geography Reporter
Your job is to plot on a map the items from your groups' years. Your role is similar to a weather reporter, but you just give locations of events, people, etc. During the presentation you will use an overhead transparency of a world map, but to do your preliminary plotting, you can print this world map .
Fire Tracker
Your job is to decide why Billy Joel chose to include each item as a contributor to the "fire." You must analyze the facts your group has gathered about your items and determine what makes them significant, especially to our lives today.
Once you've picked a role to play, you will begin your research. You will have three days for computer research. The Culture Reporter and Political Reporter will need to work together to determine who needs to research what. The following links in the lyrics of the song will function as your starting points:
If you still need information on your items, do a search on one of these search engines or one whichever one you commonly used. Use your back button on your browser to get back to this page.
Once your research is compiled, your team will begin working on the presentation. You will have two days to work on your presentation. You will need to present your information in the style of a television news show. During your presentation, you will follow the order that is listed in the role descriptions . Your presentation will need to be 10-15 minutes long. Use visual aids. Your group can do a video on your own time to then show the class; however, this is not required, nor will it effect your grade in either direction.
After completion of the presentations, you will answer concluding questions in paragraph form. You can download and print the questions now as a Word document by clicking here .
We Didn't Start the Fire
Note: This webquest was created by Julie Haines (Haines, Julie. "JCS WebQuest." We Didn't Start the Fire. Jackson City Schools , 23 Apr. 2002. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://jcs.k12.oh.us/teachers/jhaines/fire). I have added additional steps in the process. Click here to see the orignal webquest We Didn't Start the Fire.
Introduction:
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning,
Since the world's been turning.
We didn't start the fire
Well, we didn't light it,
But we tried to fight it.
- Billy Joel
The above stanza is from the song "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. What in the world is he talking about? That will be your task to discover in this webquest. In this hit song from 1989, Joel names key historical events from 1949-1989. By examining the events in the song, you and your classmates will be be searching for the answer to the question at the top of this page: "Who started the fire?" You will also be answering what he means by "fire."
The Task:
Your groups's task in this assignment is to research a section ofthe song and then present to the class in news show format an analysis of that section. Your individual task in this assignment is to answer a series of questions following the class presentations.
The Processs:
1. First you'll be assigned to a team of 4-5 students. Your team will be given certain years from the song to research.
2. Within your team, you will assume one of the following roles:
The Process
your years that apply to culture. This would include sports, entertainment, literature or any other topic that is not politically-oriented.
your years that apply to politics and government. This would include leaders of countries, wars, political events or any other topic that is politically-oriented.
years. Your role is similar to a weather reporter, but you just give locations of events, people, etc. During the presentation you will use an overhead transparency of a world map, but to do your preliminary plotting, you can print this world map .
item as a contributor to the "fire." You must analyze the facts your group has gathered about your items and determine what makes them significant, especially to our lives today.